FLUID WARMER WITH SWITCH ASSEMBLY
First Claim
1. A fluid warmer comprising:
- a support surface;
a heating element configured to selectively heat the support surface; and
a switch assembly extending through the support surface, the switch assembly includinga switch having at least two states, one of the at least two states indicating a presence of an item on the support surface;
a movable switch plate operably linked to the switch to move the switch between the at least two states, the movable switch plate including a contact surface that contacts an item placed on the support surface; and
a thermocouple embedded in the movable switch plate below the contact surface;
wherein the movable switch plate comprises a material having a thermal conductivity that permits the thermocouple embedded in the switch plate to measure a temperature of an item placed on the support surface within a predetermined period of time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid warmer is disclosed. The fluid warmer includes a support surface, a heating element configured to selectively heat the support surface, and a switch assembly extending through the support surface. The switch assembly includes a switch, a movable switch plate, and a thermocouple. The switch has at least two states, one of which indicates the presence of an item on the support surface. The movable switch plate operably links to the switch to move the switch between the states and further includes a contact surface that contacts an item placed on the support surface. One or more thermocouples are embedded in the movable switch plate below the contact surface. The movable switch plate comprises a material having a thermal conductivity that permits the thermocouple(s) embedded in the switch plate to measure a temperature of an item placed on the support surface within a predetermined period of time.
61 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fluid warmer comprising:
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a support surface; a heating element configured to selectively heat the support surface; and a switch assembly extending through the support surface, the switch assembly including a switch having at least two states, one of the at least two states indicating a presence of an item on the support surface; a movable switch plate operably linked to the switch to move the switch between the at least two states, the movable switch plate including a contact surface that contacts an item placed on the support surface; and a thermocouple embedded in the movable switch plate below the contact surface; wherein the movable switch plate comprises a material having a thermal conductivity that permits the thermocouple embedded in the switch plate to measure a temperature of an item placed on the support surface within a predetermined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A switch assembly for use in a support surface of a fluid warmer, the switch assembly comprising:
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a presence sensor configured to detect a presence of an item engaging a contact surface of the presence sensor, the presence sensor providing a signal indicating the item is disposed on the support surface of the fluid warmer; a thermocouple embedded in the presence sensor below the contact surface, the thermocouple providing a signal indicating a temperature of the item disposed on the contact surface; wherein the contact surface of the presence sensor comprises a material having a thermal conductivity that permits the thermocouple embedded in the presence sensor to measure the temperature of the item on the contact surface within a predetermined period of time, the material of the contact surface being thermally isolated for the support surface of the fluid warmer. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification